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“Oconomowoc (the film)” easier to like than it is to pronounce

Add Oconomowoc, the Wisconsin town that is hard to pronounce but fun to type, to the list of great cinematic cities. Granted, so far Oconomowoc’s film oeuvre consists of one film, “Oconomowoc (the film).” But it is a start.

The indie comedy by writer-director Andy Gillies has been premiering around the state recently, and has its Madison premiere this Wednesday, May 1, at 7:30 p.m. at the Barrymore Theatre, 2090 Atwood Ave. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Gillies and Joe Hass, the film’s composer, and director of photography, will be at the screening to talk about the film afterward. More info is available at http://www.oconofilm.com, and the trailer is up on YouTube.

The film follows Lonnie Washington, a young man who slinks back to his old hometown to live with his mom and gets entangled in the lives of his family (including a stepfather who is younger than he is and dreams of designing lingerie) dreams.

I haven’t seen the movie, but judging by the trailer it look like a fun, deadpan character-based comedy that find laughs in ordinary folks’ misguided attempts to “hit the big time.”

“I wanted to write a story that was more character and dialogue-based and less of a traditional, plot-based story,” Gillies told OnMilwaukee last week. “There’s a loose plot, but it’s more so about the characters and personality types..I’ve always enjoyed stories about disconnection and misrepresentation and delusion.”

Shot on location (naturally, because what other town could simulate Oconomowoc?) the film features a mix of pro actors and friends and family, most from the area. Gillies said the film has been submitted to festivals in the hopes of reaching an audience beyond those who can already pronounce Oconomowoc.